BOSTON — Brad Stevens has a big challenge moving to the NBA as coach of the Boston Celtics. Massachusetts college coaches, though, are optimistic he can make the jump from being successful at Butler.

And one of those coaches says Stevens might even start a trend.

Holy Cross coach Milan Brown says he thinks Stevens will do well and make some NBA general managers and presidents wonder which college coach could be the next to make the transition.

Brown was one of seven Division I coaches from Massachusetts at an event Thursday promoting a tripleheader involving six of their teams on Nov. 10 at TD Garden in Boston. Stevens also attended about 21/2 months after replacing Doc Rivers, who left to become coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Nicklaus to drop puck at Jackets' opener

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After officially opening the Presidents Cup next week at Muirfield Village, Jack Nicklaus will help open the Columbus Blue Jackets' season.

Nicklaus, winner of 73 official PGA Tour victories and a record 18 major championships, will take part in the ceremonial puck drop prior to the Blue Jackets' season-opener on Oct. 4 against Calgary at Nationwide Arena.

Nicklaus will act as host at the Presidents Cup, pitting a U.S. team featuring Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson against an International side with Adam Scott and Ernie Els, at the course he designed.

Play begins on Oct. 3 in the biennial team competition and runs through Oct. 6.

Selig says he'll step down in 2015

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says he plans to retire in January 2015.

The 79-year-old Selig has repeatedly said since 2003 that his retirement was imminent, but Thursday marked the first time he issued a formal statement.

He says he will announce a transition plan shortly that will include a reorganization of central baseball management.

Selig bought the Seattle Pilots in bankruptcy court in 1970 and moved the team to Milwaukee. He was part of the group that forced Fay Vincent's resignation.

Selig took over as acting commissioner on Sept. 9, 1992, in his role as chairman of the executive council. He repeatedly said he would not take the job full time but was formally elected commissioner July 9, 1998. He agreed to new contracts in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Ballpark stabbing involved security guard's son

SAN FRANCISCO — The Los Angeles Dodgers say the 24-year-old man who was fatally stabbed during a postgame confrontation in San Francisco was the son of one of the team’s security guards.

Spokesman Jared Kaufer said Thursday that Jonathan Denver’s father worked security at Dodger Stadium.

San Francisco police say Denver was walking with his father, brother and two other people not far from the San Francisco Giants’ ballpark Wednesday night when their group exchanged words with some Giants fans who were leaving a nightclub.

The exchange turned physical and Denver, who was wearing Dodgers gear, was stabbed to death.

Denver attended the game with his relatives but left in the eighth inning of what turned out to be a 6-4 Giants victory. His attackers did not attend the game.

Police Chief Greg Suhr says two people are in custody and one of them is facing homicide charges.